Located on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi is a small yet enchanting temple town bounded by the intriguing historical ruins of Vijayanagara city in the state of Karnataka. With a host of tourist places to see in Hampi, this dreamworld made of boulders, monoliths, and ruins of ancient edifices is a delight for tourists, and thus is considered among best places to visit in Karnataka.

The various engrossing places to visit in Hampi see a perennial influx of history-buffs, families, and photography enthusiasts. The status of UNESCO World Heritage Site further accentuates the eminence of Hampi as one of the most popular historical and religious tourist places in India.

Before we check out the best tourist places to visit in and around Hampi, let’s answer some frequently asked questions that give out important information and facts about the destination.

What is the best time to visit Hampi?

The best time to visit Hampi extends from October to February when most number of tourists visit Hampi as the weather is pleasant and great for sightseeing.

The month of January/February also is an ideal time to visit Hampi, owing to the cultural extravaganza that takes place in Hampi Utsav.

How to reach Hampi?

By Air- Hubli Airport and Belgaum Airport are two major domestic airports located at the distances of 144 km and 215 km from Hampi, respectively. Bangalore Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 350 km from Hampi.

By Road- Hampi is among beloved weekend getaways from Bangalore and is well connected to Hospet, Hassan, Mysore and other nearby cities by road as buses ply regularly. Tourists traveling to Hampi by road can also avail taxis that are available from nearby towns and cities.

By Train- Hospet Junction- the nearest railway station to Hampi, is about 13 km away.

How to get around in Hampi?

One can hire a bicycle or a bike for full day available for rent at State Tourism Centre in Hampi at a nominal charge of INR 50 and INR 200, approximately.

Tourists can find accommodation facilities in main market area of Hampi with basic facilities. However, finding hotels in Hospet- a small town just about 13 km from Hampi, is the best practical option.

Hampi Map:

Religious places to visit in Hampi

1. Vijaya Vittala Temple

Vijaya Vittala Temple is a 15th-century structure that is also considered as the largest of all historical structures in Hampi. This humungous temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu- and is a must-visit amongst all Hampi tourist places.

The extraordinary stone chariot, arrays of huge pillars in the temple halls and intricate sculptures are the true embodiments of bewitching architecture of centuries old Vijaya Vittala Temple.

Timings: 08:30 am to 5:30 pm (all days)

Entry fee:

INR 10 for Indian nationals and US $5 for foreign nationals

Video camera fee- INR 25

Still camera fee- Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 2 hours

Tip: Visit as early as possible to avoid crowd and to witness best views of the temple.

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2. Sri Virupaksha Temple

Believed to be the oldest functioning temple in India, Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is also considered as one of the most significant religious places to visit in Hampi and attracts a huge number of pilgrims from all over India.

The sprawling campus of the Virupaksha temple houses a huge courtyard, huge gateway towers, and other old-style structures that will leave you in an awe of its immense grandeur.

Timings: 06:00 am – 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee:

INR 5 for Indian nationals and US $5 for foreign nationals

Video camera fee- INR 500

Still camera fee- 50

Local guide fee- INR 50

Shoe safekeeping- INR 1

Visit duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

Tip: Hire a guide to show you around the major attractions of this temple including the underwater Shiva Temple within Sri Virupaksha Temple complex.

3. Hanuman Temple

Hanuman Temple is another famous religious site located on the top of the Anjaneya Hill which is considered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. About 4 km from Hampi village, one has to cross a river using a small boat with paddles and then climb up the stairs to reach the Temple.

The serene and picturesque ambience of this temple offers mesmerizing views of sunrise and sunset, making it one of the perfect places to see in Hampi and around.

Timings: Open all days dawn till dusk

Entry fee: None

Visit duration: Approximately 30 – 45 minutes

Tip: Beware of the monkeys in the temple premise and do not tease the animals.

4. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

Image SourceHemakuta Hill is a wonderful place lined by a number of Hindu temples, ruins of fortified walls, and broken pathways. Mula Virupaksha Temple in Hemakuta Hill Temple complex is one of the most prominent places to visit in Hampi.

Timings: Open all days from sunrise till sunset

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 3-4 hours

Tip: Don’t miss the sunset view from the Hemakuta Hill.

5. Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple

Located on the south side of the Hemakuta Hill, the Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple derives its name from the resemblance between Ganesha’s belly and a mustard seed which is locally known as Sasivekalu. It houses a 2.4-meter statue of Ganesha spectacularly carved out of a boulderstone depicting a snake around Lord Ganesha’s stomach. The history of the magnificent pavilion that surrounds the statue of Ganesha dates back to 1506 A.D. making this temple a famous tourist attraction in Hampi.

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Tip: Visit Kadalekalu Ganesha located on the northern slope of Hemakuta Hill.

6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Within the ruins of Hampi, the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple- also known as Statue of Ugra Narsimha- is the largest monolith statue in Hampi. This 6.7-meter high statue was built in 1528 A.D. which was vandalised in 1565 during a Mughal raid over Vijayanagara Kingdom. The statue of Lord Narasimha- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a half man, half lion- depicts the deity sitting in a cross-legged position in its fierce form.

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 1 hour

Tip: Carry battery backup for your camera as the place is quite photogenic.

Famous historical places to visit in Hampi and around

The tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site very well justifies the rich history of Hampi which is further exemplified by various historical monuments that it houses.

7. Queen’s Bath

Probably, a royal bathing complex for the erstwhile king and his wives, this majestic and enormous ancient building sets the clock back and is one of the major places to see in Hampi. The beauty of the ruins of Queen’s Bath gets to you the moment you lay your eyes on the unbelievable architectural style of this ancient royal pool.

Huge courtyard in the front with a dome-shaped roof, balconies with small windows, and a rectangular pool made of bricks in the middle with open blue sky greet you at the Queen’s Bath in Hampi.

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 30-45 minutes

Tips: Carry adequate cash with yourself. Purchase stone-carvings and sculptures made by local artists here.

8. Riverside Ruins

An array of 108 Shiva Lingas carved on the flat rocky surface and a finely rock-carved sculpture of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position make Riverside Ruins one of the most enticing places to visit in and around Hampi. A number of small shrines, statues, pavilions, and carved artefacts within this cluster of ruins make it a perfect place for photographers and historians.

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee: INR 30

Visit duration: Approximately 30-45 minutes

Tip: Hire a local guide to help you explore the Riverside Ruins

9. Hampi Bazaar

Located in the foothill of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular Hampi sightseeing places. It is an ancient street stretching over a kilometer and lined with ruins of pavilions.

Hampi Bazaar once used to have bustling shops, restaurants and residences on both sides of it. At one end of the Hampi Bazaar, you can find a huge Nandi bull with a photo gallery on the other side. The lavish pavilion in front of Nandi bull statue plays host to famous annual Hampi Bazaar.

Timings: 06:00 am to 11:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 1-2 hours

Tip: Explore the tourist spots of Hampi Bazaar on a rented bicycle.

10. Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Hampi is one of the most noteworthy Hampi tourist places having four different art galleries that house wide variety of artefacts. Ancient coins, statues, paintings, metal plates, armoury and sculptures of various Hindu deities can be found here. All the four sections of this museum are worth exploring and a treat for history-buffs and kids.

Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (all days, except Friday)

Entry fee: INR 5/per person (Free entry for children under the age of 15 years)

Visit duration: Approximately 1.5- 2 hours

Tip: Do not click pictures outside the museum as photography is allowed only in the open lawn outside the art galleries.

Famous places to visit in Hampi for nature lovers

If you love nature, Hampi has some beautiful spots to visit for you as well. Visit them for splendid sceneries and serenity. The wildlife is varied too; you can spot colorful animals and birds at Daroji Bear Sanctuary.

11. Matanga Hill

Matanga Hill offers panoramic views of historical ruins of Hampi and its surroundings. After trekking up the hill for around 30 minutes, you will find Veerabhadra Temple sitting right at the top of Matanga Hill. This temple has a rooftop, which is unarguably the best place to witness sunrise and sunset over the lovely landscape of this historical Hampi town.

Timings: Dawn to dusk (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 3 hours

Tip: Carry mini torch/flashlight as Matanga Hill and the paths leading up to the hilltop aren’t well lit.

12. Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a protected forest area where you can witness lovely Indian Sloth bears strolling around or climbing up the trees or playing around with each other. Established in 1994, this sanctuary also houses leopards, hyenas, jackals, spotted deers and various other species of animals and plants making it one of the most favourable places to see in Hampi for nature and wildlife lovers.

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

Entry fee:

INR 50 per person for Indian national

INR 300 per person for foreign national

Parking fee-INR 500 per car

Visit duration: Approximately 3 hours

Tips: Wear good sports/hiking shoes. Also carry adequate drinking water with you. You can see bears marching down from nearby hillocks in the evening.

13. Tungabhadra Dam

Image SourceAmong famous attractions in Hampi and surrounding places to visit, the Tungabhadra Dam pure natural bliss. With lovely flamingos playing around the beautiful garden on one side of Tungabhadra Dam, it’s the best place to take out your camera for some great shots.

Timings: 08:30 am to 6:30 pm (all days)

Entry fee: Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours

Tip: Watch out for the beautiful music fountain that starts around 7:00 in the evening.

The aforementioned places to visit in and around Hampi, give you every reason to skip mountains and beaches. Go on, comment and let us know!